Kung Fu Shoes - Yes or No?

[Ak1920]

I'm trying to learn more about wearing shoes while practicing Kung Fu and what brands are most popular. Im not currently practicing but need to do some research so thought might as well ask some experts to get the facts. What is important? Flexibility, grip, canvas, etc.

Any feedback is helpful. The brand I am researching is Feiyue.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Trapboxer]

I actually like wrestling shoes for training

Sent from my moto e6 using Tapatalk

 

[Danny T]

Depending on where I'm training I wear: on the mats...wrestling shoes or barefoot shoes. Outside...trainers.

 

[ShortBridge]

I think it depends on where you are training an who you are training with. We wear street shoes in my kwoon, but sometimes when I'm visiting someone they have a different tradition. Same places train barefoot.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

Nike Air Monarch IV

 

[Flying Crane]

I don’t like the feuyue they just don’t fit my feet well. I haven’t found any specifically “Kung fu” shoes that I think are worth a damn. I wear New Balance, they fit my feet the best. Typically a cross-trainer type shoe.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

I wear New Balance, they fit my feet the best. Typically a cross-trainer type shoe.

I have used New Balance for the past 10 years. Until last year I found out the Nike Air Monarch IV is much better. Now I have 7 pairs of Nike Air Monarch IV. Besides MA training, I even use it for my 3 miles running.

 

[Deleted member 39746]

Everything i have been to has either been barefoot, or they let you wear when ever when you dont have to be barefoot. Only requisite (for non contact) i think i know of, is thin soles. Having done kicking etc in some thin soles, i think it lets you feel things easier and allows you flex your foot easier. (overal design depends on that as well though)

and what i wear: anything i can find. i wore off brand until they didnt fit me anymore. Thats just general use, the shoes i walk around in are the ones i would use for exercise as well.

 

[Flying Crane]

I have used New Balance for the past 10 years. Until last year I found out the Nike Air Monarch IV is much better. Now I have 7 pairs of Nike Air Monarch IV. Besides MA training, I even use it for my 3 miles running.

I can’t wear nike, the toe box is always too narrow for my feet.

 

[Monkey Turned Wolf]

I don’t like the feuyue they just don’t fit my feet well. I haven’t found any specifically “Kung fu” shoes that I think are worth a damn. I wear New Balance, they fit my feet the best. Typically a cross-trainer type shoe.

Apparently people think New Balance is a 'nerdy' brand. I've had people make comments about it when I wear them, but it's the only brand I buy from. By far the best for whatever it is that I'm interested in doing on a given day.

 

[Oily Dragon]

Nike Air Monarch IV

+1 for these, great shoes for both kung fu training and general sports and athletics.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

+1 for these, great shoes for both kung fu training and general sports and athletics.

Good price too for $52.50.

nike air monarch iv - Google Shopping

 

[Buka]

Welcome to Martial Talk, Ak.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

I actually like wrestling shoes for training.

The only issue is the wrestling shoes doesn't absorb the shock when you jump up and land back down. If you do 30 jumping kicks, you can feel it.

 

[yak sao]

I like skechers...they are super light and great for kicking.

 

[Gerry Seymour]

I don’t like the feuyue they just don’t fit my feet well. I haven’t found any specifically “Kung fu” shoes that I think are worth a damn. I wear New Balance, they fit my feet the best. Typically a cross-trainer type shoe.

The kung fu shoes make great summer slippers.

 

[Deleted member 39746]

The kung fu shoes make great summer slippers.

Arent kung fu shoes literally just redesigned slippers? Well Plimsolls.

 

[drop bear]

The only issue is the wrestling shoes doesn't absorb the shock when you jump up and land back down. If you do 30 jumping kicks, you can feel it.

Yeah but they also don't chew up your expensive jigsaw mats.

So it depends where you train.

Ultimately you need to break down why you need shoes and then buy shoes for that purpose.

 

[drop bear]

And while I am looking up kung fu shoes. This came up.

It is a point I have made before that just because something is specific to a task. It doesn't mean it is better at that task.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

I like skechers...they are super light and great for kicking.

When I bought my Nike, I also bought a pair of Skechers. I felt the Skechers is too hard for running. If I compare Nike Air Monarch IV with Skechers, for the shock absorbing, I'll give

- 8-9 for Nike Air Monarch IV, and
- 4-5 for Skechers.

I don't know what technology that Air Monarch use. I find out it's much better in "shock absorbing" than all the shoes that I have had from New Balance before. The moment that I have my Nike Air Monarch IV on, the moment that I know my New Balance live is over (I used New Balance in the past 40 years).